Two parents who ‘systematically abused’ their three-month-old boy have been found guilty of his murder.
Miguel Pirjani was found unresponsive in his family’s home in Seacombe, Wirral, on November 24 last year.
He was taken to the hospital, having suffered several broken bones and a bleed on the brain, but died five days later.
Klevi Pirjani, 37, and his wife, Nivalda Santos Pirjani, 34, were charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
Prosecutors accused the couple of ‘systematically abusing’ their child up until his death.
As much as the youngster was ‘reliant on his parents for his wellbeing’, his mum and dad did nothing to ‘prevent’ his death.
Klevi phoned 999 just before midday to report the infant had stopped breathing, Liverpool Crown Court heard, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, said: ‘Curiously, he referred to his son as “it”. It just stopped breathing.
‘It is a matter for you to consider in due course as to whether this was a product of distress on his part, a language barrier or an unintended indication of his attitude towards Miguel.’
The child was found experiencing a cardiac arrest – when the heart stops beating – and taken to hospital in ‘serious condition’.
He had suffered fractures to his right collarbone, left upper arm and left shin, as well as retinal haemorrhages and displaced skull bones.
Miguel had bruising on the left side of his head and a fissure to his skull, all injuries that proved ‘irreversible’. His life support was switched off November 29, 2024.
Wright said: ‘At the time of his passing, his mother was permitted to hold his hand.
‘Whilst present, she was heard to say, I should have protected you”.’
The pair initially both denied all the charges but Nivalda later changed her plea to guilty to causing or allowing the death of a child.
Prosecutors did not accept this, however, and proceeded with a trial on all counts
The parents pointed fingers at one another during the three-week trial, with Nivalda alleging Klevi ‘lost control’ and headbutted Miguel.
They were both found guilty today of murder – they will be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Inspector Holly Chance said: ‘This was a truly shocking murder of baby Miguel Pirjani, and it has been an extremely distressing case for us to investigate.
‘Miguel was only three months old when his life was tragically cut short at the violent hands of his parents.
‘Today’s conviction of Klevi and Nivalda is exceptionally heartbreaking as Miguel lost his life tragically by his own parents who were meant to nurture and protect him from harm.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.